I Had a Scary FSD Experience in The Rain And Don't Know If My Tesla Would Have Crashed

When you rely on cutting-edge technology, especially something as revolutionary as Tesla's Full Self-Driving mode, you expect an almost magical blend of convenience and precision. But some moments remind us technology has its limits.

A recent post from Marty Culleton in the "Tesla Tips & Tricks" Facebook group sheds light on one of those moments—a tense, rain-soaked encounter with FSD that left him questioning what might have happened had he not intervened.

Culleton shared his experience, writing:

"Huge fan of FSD lately, but had this one 'near miss' last week. Just pulled the vid from the USB stick to share with you guys. I grabbed control from FSD due to feeling like the car was about to hit this barrier on the left, it was raining and really felt like I would've struck it if I didn't yank the wheel. Do you think I would've hit the barrier if I hadn't taken over? It was raining, in a construction area here in San Antonio, not the best conditions to use FSD, but it's been doing so great! Appreciate your assessment of this video!"

When Tech Fails

Culleton isn’t alone in his skepticism. Some Tesla owners echo similar stories, as seen in a recent case involving a bricked Tesla Cybertruck. Check out how one owner’s Tesla Cybertruck suddenly stopped while driving 45 MPH on the highway. 

Some FSD critics argue the system is too erratic, especially in challenging conditions like rain or construction zones. Others questioned whether it’s ready for widespread use:

“To be honest, I will NEVER trust FSD after it steered me into oncoming traffic once at an intersection with medians. If I wanted to hand over the reins from driving, I’d hire an Uber,” wrote one disillusioned owner.

Improvement Overtime

• Tesla’s FSD collects data from millions of vehicles worldwide, analyzing scenarios like traffic patterns, road conditions, and driver interventions. 
• When drivers encounter unique situations, rain, construction zones, or near misses, their interactions with FSD are recorded. These cases are fed back into Tesla’s AI, helping it learn and adapt to scenarios that engineers couldn’t predict.

Tesla's Path To Improving The FSD

Tesla’s FSD isn’t static; it’s a system that learns. Every near miss, rainstorm, or construction zone encounter contributes data that helps refine its algorithms. For a deeper look at how Tesla handles its challenges, read about Tesla FSD: The Most Practical AI For Navigating The Real World, According To Elon Musk

Yet, rapid innovation often outpaces regulation. Companies like Tesla and Waymo are pushing boundaries, but oversight has lagged behind. Without a robust regulatory framework, society risks unleashing a technology that’s not fully prepared for the complexities of real-world driving.

Self-driving cars could redefine transportation for the better, but getting there requires more than technological breakthroughs it demands a framework that protects safety, privacy, and society at large. The clock is ticking, and the future is closer than we think.

Did FSD have it under control, or did Culleton save his Tesla from an expensive rendezvous with a barrier? The answer may never be definitive. If you were Culleton would you keep trusting the system, or tighten your grip on the wheel when the skies open up?

The journey to full autonomy isn’t just about technology, it’s about humans working in tandem with machines to build a safer, smarter future. Until then, stay alert, stay informed, and remember: even in a self-driving car, the most important driver is you.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.